Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
Encyclopedia
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (English: Dresden State Art Collections) is a cultural institution in Dresden
, Germany
, owned by the State of Saxony
. It belongs to the most renowned and oldest museum institutions in the world, originating from the collections of the Saxon electors in the 16th century .
Today, the Dresden State Art Collections consists of twelve museums. Most of them are located in the Dresden Castle
, the Zwinger
and the Albertinum
.
, founded the electoral Kunstkammer (literally “art chamber”) in 1560, a collection of art located in the Dresden Castle. August the Strong
and his son, August III, Kings of Poland
, were important patrons and remarkable connoisseurs of the arts. They developed their art collections in a systematic fashion; in the process, they not only provided a foundation of extraordinary masterpieces for the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, but also made these works accessible to select circles in their own time.
The Staatliche Kunstsammlungen has been a state-owned enterprise since January 1, 2009. The association includes twelve museums which operate independently within the context of their own collection, but all share various institutions and facilities as well as a central administration.
and the Armory
.
Further institutions, such as the Kunstbibliothek (Art Library), the Kunstfonds (Art Fund) and the Gerhard Richter Archiv (Gerhard Richter Archive) also belong to the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.
Dresden Castle
houses the Historic Green Vault (Historisches Grüne Gewölbe) and the New Green Vault (Neues Grüne Gewölbe), the Coin Cabinet (Münzkabinett), the Collection of Prints, Drawings and Photographs (Kupferstich-Kabinett) and the Turkish Chamber (Türckische Cammer).
The Zwinger
palace contains the Old Masters Picture Gallery (Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister), the Porcelain Collection (Porzellansammlung), the Armory (Rüstkammer) and the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments (Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon).
The Albertinum
hosts the New Masters Gallery (Gemäldegalerie Neue Meister) and the Sculpture Collection (Skulpturensammlung).
Pillnitz Castle
houses the Arts and Crafts Museum (Kunstgewerbemuseum) and the Japanisches Palais
the Ethnographical Museum Dresden (Museum für Völkerkunde). The Saxon Folk Art Museum and Puppet Theatre Collection (Museum für Sächsische Volkskunst and Puppentheatersammlung) can be found in the Jägerhof in Dresden-Neustadt.
. It is a member of the Konferenz Nationaler Kultureinrichtungen
, a union of more than twenty cultural institutions in the former East Germany.
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, owned by the State of Saxony
Saxony
The Free State of Saxony is a landlocked state of Germany, contingent with Brandenburg, Saxony Anhalt, Thuringia, Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Poland. It is the tenth-largest German state in area, with of Germany's sixteen states....
. It belongs to the most renowned and oldest museum institutions in the world, originating from the collections of the Saxon electors in the 16th century .
Today, the Dresden State Art Collections consists of twelve museums. Most of them are located in the Dresden Castle
Dresden castle
Dresden Castle is one of the oldest buildings in Dresden. For almost 400 years, it has been the residence of the electors and kings of Saxony...
, the Zwinger
Zwinger
The Zwinger is a palace in Dresden, eastern Germany, built in Baroque style. It served as the orangery, exhibition gallery and festival arena of the Dresden Court....
and the Albertinum
Albertinum
The Albertinum is a famous fine art museum in Dresden, Germany, close to Brühl's Terrace and the Zwinger.- History :The Albertinum, named after Saxon king Albert, was built between 1884 and 1887 by Carl Adolf Canzler on the site of a former armoury to serve as a public museum and archive...
.
History
The museums belonging to the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden originated from the collections of the Saxon electors, several of whom were also Kings of Poland. Historical sources show that August I, Elector of SaxonyAugustus, Elector of Saxony
Augustus was Elector of Saxony from 1553 to 1586.-First years:Augustus was born in Freiberg, the youngest child and third son of Henry IV, Duke of Saxony, and Catherine of Mecklenburg. He consequently belonged to the Albertine branch of the Wettin family...
, founded the electoral Kunstkammer (literally “art chamber”) in 1560, a collection of art located in the Dresden Castle. August the Strong
Augustus II the Strong
Frederick Augustus I or Augustus II the Strong was Elector of Saxony and King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania ....
and his son, August III, Kings of Poland
Augustus III of Poland
Augustus III, known as the Saxon ; ; also Prince-elector Friedrich August II was the Elector of Saxony in 1733-1763, as Frederick Augustus II , King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania in 1734-1763.-Biography:Augustus was the only legitimate son of Augustus II the Strong, Imperial Prince-Elector...
, were important patrons and remarkable connoisseurs of the arts. They developed their art collections in a systematic fashion; in the process, they not only provided a foundation of extraordinary masterpieces for the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, but also made these works accessible to select circles in their own time.
The Staatliche Kunstsammlungen has been a state-owned enterprise since January 1, 2009. The association includes twelve museums which operate independently within the context of their own collection, but all share various institutions and facilities as well as a central administration.
Museums
Twelve museums belong to the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden. Some collections are divided between different locations, such as the Green VaultGrünes Gewölbe
The Grünes Gewölbe in Dresden is a unique historic museum that contains the largest collection of treasures in Europe. Founded by Augustus the Strong in 1723, it features a rich variety of exhibits from the Baroque to Classicism...
and the Armory
Dresden Armory
The Dresden Armory , also known as the Dresden Historical Museum , is one of the world's largest collections of ceremonial weapons, armors and historical textiles. It is part of the Dresden State Art Collections.The Dresden Armory is currently on display in the gallery wing of the Zwinger Palace in...
.
Painting galleries
- Gemäldegalerie Alte MeisterGemäldegalerie Alte MeisterThe Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden features major works of art. It is located in the gallery wing of the Zwinger....
(Old Masters Painting Gallery), ZwingerZwingerThe Zwinger is a palace in Dresden, eastern Germany, built in Baroque style. It served as the orangery, exhibition gallery and festival arena of the Dresden Court.... - Galerie Neue MeisterGalerie Neue MeisterThe Galerie Neue Meister is part of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen of Dresden, Germany...
(New Masters Gallery), AlbertinumAlbertinumThe Albertinum is a famous fine art museum in Dresden, Germany, close to Brühl's Terrace and the Zwinger.- History :The Albertinum, named after Saxon king Albert, was built between 1884 and 1887 by Carl Adolf Canzler on the site of a former armoury to serve as a public museum and archive... - Kupferstich-KabinettKupferstich-Kabinett (Dresden)The Kupferstichkabinett is part of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen of Dresden, Germany. Since 2004 it has been located in Dresden Castle.-History:...
(Collection of Prints, Drawings and Photographs), Dresden CastleDresden castleDresden Castle is one of the oldest buildings in Dresden. For almost 400 years, it has been the residence of the electors and kings of Saxony...
Art museums
- Grünes GewölbeGrünes GewölbeThe Grünes Gewölbe in Dresden is a unique historic museum that contains the largest collection of treasures in Europe. Founded by Augustus the Strong in 1723, it features a rich variety of exhibits from the Baroque to Classicism...
(Green Vault) with the Historic and the New Green Vault, Dresden Castle - Mathematisch-Physikalischer SalonMathematisch-Physikalischer SalonThe Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon in Dresden, Germany, is a museum of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden . It is located in the Zwinger....
(Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments), Zwinger (west wing) - RüstkammerDresden ArmoryThe Dresden Armory , also known as the Dresden Historical Museum , is one of the world's largest collections of ceremonial weapons, armors and historical textiles. It is part of the Dresden State Art Collections.The Dresden Armory is currently on display in the gallery wing of the Zwinger Palace in...
(Armoury), ZwingerZwingerThe Zwinger is a palace in Dresden, eastern Germany, built in Baroque style. It served as the orangery, exhibition gallery and festival arena of the Dresden Court....
(Semper Wing), with the Turkish Chamber, Dresden Castle - PorzellansammlungDresden Porcelain CollectionThe Dresden Porcelain Collection is part of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen of Dresden, Germany. It is located in the Zwinger Palace.-History and description:...
(Porcelain Collection), Zwinger (Glockenspielpavillon) - MünzkabinettMünzkabinettThe Münzkabinett is part of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden , Germany. Founded around 1530, it is one of the oldest museums in Dresden. It is located in the Dresden Castle....
(Coin Cabinet), Dresden Castle - SkulpturensammlungSkulpturensammlungThe Skulpturensammlung is part of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden . It is located in the Albertinum in Dresden....
(Sculpture Collection), Albertinum - Kunstgewerbemuseum (Arts and Crafts Museum), Pillnitz CastlePillnitz CastlePillnitz Castle is a restored Baroque castle at the eastern end of the city of Dresden in the German state of Saxony. It is located on the bank of the River Elbe in the former village of Pillnitz...
- Museum für Völkerkunde Dresden (Ethnographical Museum Dresden), Japanisches PalaisJapanisches PalaisJapanisches Palais is a Baroque palace in Dresden, eastern Germany, built in 1715. It was extended in 1729-1731, to store the Japanese porcelain collection of Augustus the Strong , although it was never used for this purpose, and instead was used as a library.The Japanisches Palais was partly...
- Museum für Sächsische Volkskunst and Puppentheatersammlung (Saxon Folk Art Museum and Puppet Theatre Collection), Jägerhof
Further institutions, such as the Kunstbibliothek (Art Library), the Kunstfonds (Art Fund) and the Gerhard Richter Archiv (Gerhard Richter Archive) also belong to the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.
Locations
The museums of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen are located in six buildings in Dresden.Dresden Castle
Dresden castle
Dresden Castle is one of the oldest buildings in Dresden. For almost 400 years, it has been the residence of the electors and kings of Saxony...
houses the Historic Green Vault (Historisches Grüne Gewölbe) and the New Green Vault (Neues Grüne Gewölbe), the Coin Cabinet (Münzkabinett), the Collection of Prints, Drawings and Photographs (Kupferstich-Kabinett) and the Turkish Chamber (Türckische Cammer).
The Zwinger
Zwinger
The Zwinger is a palace in Dresden, eastern Germany, built in Baroque style. It served as the orangery, exhibition gallery and festival arena of the Dresden Court....
palace contains the Old Masters Picture Gallery (Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister), the Porcelain Collection (Porzellansammlung), the Armory (Rüstkammer) and the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments (Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon).
The Albertinum
Albertinum
The Albertinum is a famous fine art museum in Dresden, Germany, close to Brühl's Terrace and the Zwinger.- History :The Albertinum, named after Saxon king Albert, was built between 1884 and 1887 by Carl Adolf Canzler on the site of a former armoury to serve as a public museum and archive...
hosts the New Masters Gallery (Gemäldegalerie Neue Meister) and the Sculpture Collection (Skulpturensammlung).
Pillnitz Castle
Pillnitz Castle
Pillnitz Castle is a restored Baroque castle at the eastern end of the city of Dresden in the German state of Saxony. It is located on the bank of the River Elbe in the former village of Pillnitz...
houses the Arts and Crafts Museum (Kunstgewerbemuseum) and the Japanisches Palais
Japanisches Palais
Japanisches Palais is a Baroque palace in Dresden, eastern Germany, built in 1715. It was extended in 1729-1731, to store the Japanese porcelain collection of Augustus the Strong , although it was never used for this purpose, and instead was used as a library.The Japanisches Palais was partly...
the Ethnographical Museum Dresden (Museum für Völkerkunde). The Saxon Folk Art Museum and Puppet Theatre Collection (Museum für Sächsische Volkskunst and Puppentheatersammlung) can be found in the Jägerhof in Dresden-Neustadt.
Current status
The Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden is owned by the State of SaxonySaxony
The Free State of Saxony is a landlocked state of Germany, contingent with Brandenburg, Saxony Anhalt, Thuringia, Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Poland. It is the tenth-largest German state in area, with of Germany's sixteen states....
. It is a member of the Konferenz Nationaler Kultureinrichtungen
Konferenz Nationaler Kultureinrichtungen
The Konferenz Nationaler Kultureinrichtungen or Conference of National Cultural Institutions is a union of more than twenty cultural organizations in the former East Germany...
, a union of more than twenty cultural institutions in the former East Germany.